The Armor of God

The Armor of God

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Do you ever have moments when you feel powerless to protect yourself against evil and wrongdoing? God knew we would have these weak moments and He gave us protection. In Ephesians 6 He goes into great detail on how we can protect ourselves. Being in God’s Word daily protects us and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand and take God’s word to heart.

Ephesians 6: 10-24
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against [e]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that [kin proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [nabout us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ [owith incorruptible love.

1 Thessalonians 5:8
 But since we are of the day, let us be [asober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation

Isaiah 59: 17
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

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The birth of Jesus

Luke 2:2-20 The Message

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Study Tools

Study Tools

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The internet is great for the many study tools that are available to us. Keep in mind that not everything you see is biblically correct, so it helps to know your bible. Here are a few that I like to use:

BibleGateway
There are many different versions of the Bible available and you can use it to compare.

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible
This was originally written in 1706, you can put in a bible book and chapter and it will give you an explanation.

Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary
This one is a little bit easier to understand for me, not as detailed as the one above, but still lots of information.

Blue Letter Bible
Gives an explanation on the Greek or Hebrew words. Great Bible reference tool.

Bible Study Tools
Easy to use, different Bible versions, devotions and other tools available.

The Bible Project
You need to join the community to use their webpage (free) or go to YouTube and type in Bible Project and the book you want information about (example Genesis). There is a cartoon video that will pop up and explain the history and what is happening in that book of the Bible. I like this one because it helps you understand the history and how things relate.

I am sure I will find more tools as I go along and will update information as I write this blog.

The Journey Begins

The Journey Begins

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Thanks for joining me!

I decided with all of the bible studying I have been working on lately that I would like to share with others and get your feedback.

I have been a Christian for some 60 years now and I am still learning. It is hard for a church to cover all the learning needs of their congregation. Our splits up into small groups that meet once a week to continue their studies, while this is helpful and we see to the needs of fellow Christians it doesn’t reach all of mature Christians needs.  So I actually work with three different groups during the week to learn more about the Bible.

What do I mean by mature Christians: they are people who have been baptized and are following Christ.  They have a good understanding of the Bible and seek a personal relationship with Jesus. Will you join me?

Joy

Joy

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In the version of the Bible (NIV) I am reading the word “joy” is mentioned 242 times. Do you think joy is important to God?  The joy that feels so good that a smile appears and we laugh with delight.  As humans, we search for joy in our life. What brings you joy?  How do you make others joyful? Joy is when your heart is full. (Psalm 9:1-2) He wants us to sing, shout and praise with great joy. (Psalms 28:7) God wants to hear why we are joyful. (Psalm 33:1-3) God knows that joy is part of our well being, the joy of the Lord makes us complete. (John 15:11) God finds joy when we think and act like Him, be one in spirit with God, and value others. (Philippians 2:1-2)

Psalm 9:1-2

[David Psalm ] I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart, I’m writing the book on your wonders. I’m whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy; I’m singing your song, High God.


Psalm 28:7

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 33:1-3

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

John 15:11
 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Philippians 2:1-3
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Luke 6:23

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.

Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Jude 23-25
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen